Australia V England, 3rd Ashes Test; England's Predicted XI
Published - 13 Dec 2017, 05:28 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:46 PM
As both England and Australia look forward to the 3rd Ashes Test scheduled to be played at the WACA in Perth from tomorrow. The visitors have to play out of their skin in order to make a comeback while the Aussies will look to continue their dominance and take an unassailable lead to reclaim the urn.
England doesn’t boast off a great record in Perth with their only victory in the ground coming way back in 1978. With the series in line England will be eager to force their way back into the series but it won’t be easy for the visitors given their issues both on and off the field. They are unlikely to tinker with their playing XI which lost the previous encounter at the Adelaide Oval. So with the 3rd and the must-win Test for England likely to start in few hour’s time, let us have a look at the Predicted XI of England
The former English skipper hasn’t been in the greatest form and has struggled to get going. Former Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson even went to the extent and said that Cook is contemplating retirement. However, the southpaw is a champion batsman, and a big score might just be around the corner.
Mark Stoneman
The right-hander has looked in good touch and have played some exquisite shots in the two Tests so far. However, he hasn’t been able to convert his starts into big ones.
James Vince
Like many of the top order batsman, Vince has looked in good touch but hasn’t been able to score those big hundreds which have made a difference for the visitors. He scored 80 odd runs in the 1st Test and looked in great touch. In the process, he struck some delightful shots but couldn’t quite score the century. He failed on both occasions in the previous Test falling cheaply on both occasions.
Joe Root
The English skipper who is regarded as one of the best modern-day batsmen scored a fine 67 in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test. It was his presence in the crease which gave hopes of an English turnaround but the main area of concern has been converting his starts. Unlike Steve Smith or Virat Kohli, Root has scored fluent fifties rather than centuries and double centuries.
The southpaw struck some gorgeous shots in the opening Test but failed to make his opportunities count in the 2nd Test at the Adelaide Oval and returned with poor scores in both the innings. He has been impressive with the bat and will look to get some runs under his belt in the 3rd outing.
Moeen Ali
He is undoubtedly the most important member of the England side with Ben Stokes already out of the team. He is a very valuable lower middle order batsman and plays the role of a genuine spinner in the team. He will look to play a major role in the 3rd Test and be a trump card for the visitors in their must-win encounter.
Jonny Bairstow
One of the most prolific run scorers for England in the longest format of the game in 2016, Bairstow has been far from impressive and had mediocre returns with the bat in the first two Tests. He has kept well and will look to add some more runs under his belt in the 3rd and must win clash for England.
It was an improved bowling performance by the all-rounder who returned with 4/36 in the 2nd innings of the 1st Test and bowled brilliantly in tandem with James Anderson to bowl out the hosts for a mere 138 runs in the 2nd essay. He made some useful contribution with the bat as well.
Craig Overton
Overton who made his debut in the longest format of the game in the previous Test was pretty impressive with both bat and ball. Despite not known for his batting skills, Overton scored an unbeaten 41 against a fierce pace attack. With the ball in hand, he bagged 3 wickets in the 1st innings while returned with one in the 2nd essay.
Stuart Broad
He hasn’t been at his best in the first two clashes so far and England will be hoping that all the pacers can come all cylinders blazing and bowl the Aussies out cheaply in the 3rd Test. He bagged two wickets in the 1st innings of the previous Test and remained wicketless in the 2nd innings.
James Anderson
The Swing King of England proved why he is arguably the greatest English fast bowler in the previous Test in Adelaide when he returned with an exceptional spell of 5/43 which was instrumental in bowling out the Aussies for a mere 138 runs.
